Care settings.
Connected.

Interfacility ambulance transport is transportation from one healthcare setting to another. A request may involve a hospital, skilled nursing facility, rehabilitation facility, nursing facility, or another care setting.

Healthcare teams may contact MEDICS to discuss the pickup and destination, requested timing, transportation needs, current availability, and applicable requirements. Transportation is confirmed only after those details are reviewed.

1. 01

   Request-specific review

   Each request is reviewed around the documented transportation need, requested timing, availability, and applicable requirements.
2. 02

   Sending and receiving settings

   The pickup and destination are clarified before transportation details can be confirmed.
3. 03

   Healthcare-team coordination

   Discharge planners, case managers, social workers, nurses, and facility coordinators can begin the discussion with MEDICS.
4. 04

   Clear next steps

   MEDICS explains what additional information or approved documentation is needed for the specific request.

• Hospital teams
• Discharge planners
• Case managers
• Social workers
• Skilled nursing teams
• Rehabilitation teams
• Nursing facilities
• Other healthcare coordinators

1. 01

   Start with the two healthcare settings

   Identify the sending location and intended receiving location. MEDICS can then discuss availability for the requested route.

   • Pickup facility or healthcare setting
   • Intended destination
   • Requested date and time
   • Facility contact or coordinating role
2. 02

   Describe the transportation need

   The sending healthcare team should identify the transportation need and any applicable care-plan or documentation requirements through the appropriate operational channel. MEDICS does not determine the patient’s clinical needs from a public website inquiry.

3. 03

   Review availability and requirements

   MEDICS reviews the requested timing, transportation need, current availability, and applicable requirements with the appropriate contact.

   A request is not confirmed transportation.

4. 04

   Protect sensitive information

   Use the public contact page only for general, non-sensitive questions. Please do not send diagnoses, medical records, insurance identifiers, medication lists, or other sensitive patient information through general email or website channels.

   MEDICS will explain the appropriate next step and information channel for a specific request.

1. 01

   What is interfacility ambulance transport?

   Interfacility ambulance transport moves a patient from one healthcare setting to another. The sending team and transport provider coordinate the request before transportation is confirmed.
2. 02

   Who can contact MEDICS about an interfacility request?

   Hospitals, discharge planners, case managers, social workers, skilled nursing and rehabilitation teams, nursing facilities, patients, and families may contact MEDICS to begin a transportation discussion.
3. 03

   What information should be ready for the first call?

   Be ready to identify the pickup setting, intended destination, requested date and time, a coordinating contact, and the transportation need to discuss. MEDICS will explain what additional information or approved documentation is needed.
4. 04

   Does contacting MEDICS confirm transportation?

   No. MEDICS reviews the request, current availability, and applicable requirements before transportation is confirmed.
5. 05

   Where does MEDICS discuss interfacility transportation requests?

   Contact MEDICS about a trip within Greater Houston service areas. The team can discuss the origin, destination, timing, and current availability.
6. 06

   What should I do in a life-threatening emergency?

   Call 911 for a life-threatening emergency. MEDICS is not a replacement for 911 emergency response.

For a life-threatening emergency, call 911. MEDICS is not a replacement for emergency response.